When I came to college, I only knew a couple of people from my high school. I hung out with a couple of them every once in awhile, but I really wanted to settle in on my own and make my own friend group. I had gone back and forth a lot on whether or not I wanted to go through sorority recruitment. I decided against it. I didn't think it was a good route for me, and I actually often made fun of my roommate who went through it. But, in the spring, I decided to give it a try. After you go through it, you really start to see the benefits you gain from it.
1. You feel like a better person
You are required to do a certain amount of community service. What could make you feel better about yourself than knowing you and your chapter took hours and hours out of your time to help other people just to help. My chapter goes to a local nursing home about once a week or once every other week to play bingo with some of the residents. It's so heartwarming to see the happiness it brings to the residents and how into the games they get. Also, every sorority has their own philanthropy. It's very rewarding to see the change you can make in people's lives and know that they are completely grateful for your help.
2. You make a solid group of friends
Depending on which sorority you join, you gain from 50-300 sisters. Most of these girls share the same interests and values as you. It's nice to be welcomed into their home with open arms, and knowing that you're being surrounded by people who want to be around you.
3. You learn a lot
You learn that the stereotypes that follow Greek life around are not true. You learn a lot about yourself. You learn how to carry yourself around your campus in a positive manner. You learn that helping others is a very important part of life to get you to where you want to be. You learn that caring for others truly does give something back, even if it's small. You learn that putting a lot of hard work and effort into something does pay off. And most importantly, you learn a sense of teamwork with the girls that you're constantly with and working with, which can really help you for the rest of your life.
4. You always have someone to do something with you
If you want to go to the library, most likely there will be someone else who wants to go and will go with you. That goes for almost everything you do. There's always going to be another sister who's willing to go with you if they aren't already going to that place themselves.
5. You become prepared for the future
After graduation, you're still going to have your sisters. They aren't going anywhere. There's always going to be someone to help you with your career path. Plus, you never know, maybe the job you're applying for, someone who oversees your application was in the same sorority as. Having that connection can push you a long way. Sisters are always willing to help sisters. Or even if you're just having a bad day and really struggling, you can always count on your sisters to pick you up.
Going to college can be hard enough as it is, but when you are leaving all your friends you have had since you were a child to go to an unfamiliar place knowing absolutely no one, it makes it a lot worse. One great way to avoid this would be by going Greek.
